South County Conservancy is a strictly volunteer organization managed by a Board of Directors. Over 150 member families support South County Conservancy with financial gifts large and small. Many members go further and donate their time and efforts. Volunteers handle all aspects of our operations, there are no paid staff.

As a Land Trust, South County Conservancy acquires land and development rights for the purpose of preservation of open space. We place restrictions and specifications in our deeds to ensure that the lands and rights acquired are forever maintained according to the wishes of the original owner.

South County Conservancy was incorporated 1996 in Rhode Island as a private non-profit conservation corporation. The new organization was given tax-exempt status in 1998 by the Internal Revenue Service under Code Section 501(c)(3).

The Conservancy requested exemption from the Charlestown Town Council for real estate taxes on lands that were acquired. In 1998, the Council granted the Conservancy exemption property taxes.

The organizations founding members included; Carole Brown, Roe LaBoissere, Joanne Monk. The first parcel that was acquired was the 1996.

South County Conservancy - Charlestown’s Land Trust - preserves and protects the distinctive character of our local area through acquisition and management of open space.

Protecting the natural, historic and scenic character of South County is a wise investment. The cost to taxpayers can be high when open space is used for residential development. The cost of services such as schools, roads, and police are often greater than the taxes collected from such development. An undesirable result: taxes increase as open space decreases.

Preservation of open space minimizes the strain of rapid development thus stabilizing taxes. It also helps to strengthen property values.

South County’s tourism-based economy depends on the rural and scenic character of our community - yet another reason to preserve open space.